FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher and Economic Development Cabinet Secretary John Hindman today announced that Halton Co., which manufactures commercial ventilation systems, will invest $2.2 million to expand its plant in Scottsville. The expansion will create up to 60 jobs.

“Expansion of Kentucky’s existing industries is a vital part of growing our state’s economy,” said Governor Fletcher. “Kentucky is proud to partner with Halton Company to secure the expansion of its Allen County facility, creating dozens of employment opportunities for the region.”

Halton Co., a subsidiary of Halton Group Americas in Bowling Green, makes commercial kitchen ventilation systems for restaurants, institutional food service facilities, stadiums and kiosk outlets. The expansion will add approximately 30,000 square feet to the plant in the Scottsville Industrial Park. Construction is to begin next month and be completed in the spring.

“We are pleased and excited to see the positive growth that continues at Halton Company,” said Rick Bagwell, president of Halton Group Americas. “When we located to Scottsville in 1997, Halton Company employed 27 people. Today, we employ 120 people at the location, and the growth continues.”

Halton Group Americas also announced the purchase of the remaining acreage in the Scottsville Industrial Park. “With the latest expansion of Halton Company, we are out of useable growth acreage,” said Bagwell. “The purchase of the adjoining properties will allow us to continue our overall growth in a planned, consistent manner in the future. The great support of the state and local officials, coupled with centralized logistics, makes Kentucky an important place in Halton’s future.”

“Halton Company is truly a world-class company and a tremendous asset to Allen County,” said Allen County Judge-Executive Bobby Young. “We are pleased they are a part of our community and continue to grow.”

“We are thrilled with the expansion of Halton Company,” said Scottsville Mayor Rob Cline. “They are an outstanding company and the new jobs being created are going to be important to our community.”

“This announcement emphasizes the importance of a regional partnership once again,” said Mary Cohron, board chair of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re excited to know that Halton Company has found success here in south central Kentucky, and we know that this expansion will benefit Allen County and the region.”

The Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority preliminarily approved Halton Co. for tax benefits up to $1.5 million under the Kentucky Rural Economic Development Act, an incentive program designed to attract and expand manufacturing operations in the state.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in the state. New business investment in Kentucky in 2006 totaled more than $3.4 billion with the creation of over 18,500 new jobs. Information on available development sites, workforce training, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other resources is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.